The New York Jets and guard Kelechi Osemele haven’t seen eye to eye about his need for shoulder surgery, and now things may turn even uglier. Following successful surgery on Friday that revealed damage to Osemele’s shoulder was more extensive than anticipated, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter the guard’s representatives and the NFLPA are “considering taking specific action against the Jets’ team doctor for violations of State Medical Board Regulations.”
Before this story broke nationally, Bleacher Report’s Adam Lefkoe was the first to share that things between Osemele and the Jets were going downhill fast. He reported that the Jets were sending blank and incorrect MRI images to doctors, and refusing to release workers compensation forms.
Not long afterward, top national insiders began to report that the Jets knew Osemele had been told by multiple doctors that he needed shoulder surgery. However, the team was said to believe it was a preexisting condition and that Osemele could continue playing through it by taking Toradol injections before games.
Osemele then stopped attending practices and began prepping for surgery, without the blessing of the team, and was subsequently fined for what the team calls and unexcused absence.
That’s pretty much where things remain at this point. Osemele did have surgery, and he continues to be seen by the Jets as a truant who is not living up to his contract. And now there will be lawyers.